PIP for Depression: Can You Claim and How Much You Get
Yes, you can claim PIP for depression. In fact, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder is the single most common condition among PIP claimants, with over 360,000 people receiving PIP for it, and around half of depression claims are awarded. PIP is not based on your diagnosis but on how depression affects everyday activities like cooking, washing, dressing and engaging with people. This guide explains which activities score points, what evidence works, and how much you could receive in 2026/27.
- ✓Depression can qualify for PIP, around half of claims for depression are awarded
- ✓Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common PIP condition (360,000+ claimants)
- ✓Needing prompting or motivation to cook, wash or dress scores points, even if you physically can
- ✓Overwhelming psychological distress when travelling can score up to 12 mobility points
- ✓PIP pays £76.70 to £194.60 a week in 2026/27, the same rates as any condition
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Can you get PIP for depression?
Quick answer: yes. Psychiatric conditions are the largest single group on PIP, 39% of the 3.9 million people receiving it (DWP statistics to January 2026), and depression sits at the heart of that group. Official claims data shows around 51% of claims for depressive disorder are awarded, in line with the average across all conditions.
What matters is not the word ‘depression’ on your medical record but the functional impact: what you cannot do, or cannot do reliably, on the majority of days. Of people awarded PIP for depression, the great majority receive the daily living component, and around three quarters also receive mobility, most often because of the psychological distress rules explained below.
Which PIP activities score points for depression?
These are the activities where depression most commonly scores. The key word is prompting: if you need someone to encourage, remind or motivate you to do something, you score points even though you are physically capable of it.
- ✓Preparing food: needing prompting to cook a simple meal, or living on snacks because you cannot face cooking, scores points. Loss of appetite and motivation count here and under 'taking nutrition'
- ✓Managing therapy or monitoring your condition: forgetting or avoiding medication, needing reminders to take antidepressants, or being unable to attend appointments without support
- ✓Washing and bathing: needing prompting to wash on more than half your days, going days without washing during low periods
- ✓Dressing and undressing: staying in nightwear all day, needing prompting to get dressed
- ✓Engaging with other people face to face: withdrawing from contact, needing someone with you to cope with social situations, or experiencing overwhelming distress when engaging
- ✓Making budgeting decisions: avoiding bills and letters, being unable to manage money during episodes
- ✓Planning and following journeys (mobility): if overwhelming psychological distress means you cannot go out alone or at all, this can score 4 to 12 points
Depression and the mobility component
Many people assume mobility points are only for physical conditions. That is wrong, and it has been settled law since the courts struck down attempts to exclude psychological distress in 2017. Under Mobility Activity 1 (planning and following journeys):
- ✓Needing prompting to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress: 4 points
- ✓Unable to follow an unfamiliar route without another person due to overwhelming psychological distress: 10 points
- ✓Unable to undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress: 10 points
- ✓Unable to follow a familiar route without another person due to overwhelming psychological distress: 12 points (enhanced mobility on its own)
The threshold is overwhelming distress, feeling anxious or low about going out is not enough on its own. Describe what actually happens: panic, freezing, turning back, days you cannot leave the house, and how often.
How much is PIP for depression?
Quick answer: there is no special rate for depression, you get the standard PIP rates based on your points. In 2026/27 that is between £76.70 and £194.60 a week (£306.80 to £778.40 every four weeks).
Among people awarded PIP for depression, almost half receive the enhanced daily living rate. PIP is tax-free, not means-tested, and you can work while claiming. See the full PIP rates 2026/27 guide for weekly, 4-weekly and monthly amounts.
Evidence that strengthens a depression claim
- ✓GP records showing your diagnosis, medication history and any changes in dose, a long medication history shows treatment burden
- ✓Letters from a CMHT, psychiatrist or therapist that describe functional impact ('unable to cook or wash during episodes'), not just the diagnosis
- ✓Records of crisis team contact, A&E attendances or hospital admissions
- ✓A statement from a partner, family member or friend describing what they do for you: reminders, cooking, accompanying you out
- ✓A simple diary over 4 to 6 weeks marking good and bad days, this is direct evidence for the 50% rule
If your claim is refused
Mental health claims are refused at first decision more often than physical ones, usually because the assessor underestimated difficulties that are not visible. Do not stop there:
- ✓Request a mandatory reconsideration within one month, around 17% of MRs change the award
- ✓If that fails, appeal to the independent tribunal: 64% of PIP appeals heard at tribunal are decided in the claimant's favour (latest HMCTS figures)
- ✓Request your assessment report and list every inaccuracy
- ✓Add new evidence at every stage, especially a carer's statement and anything addressing the 50% rule
Full guides: PIP appeals and the latest appeal success rates.
Get instant help right now
A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get PIP for depression?
Yes. Depression is one of the most common reasons people receive PIP, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder is the single most common condition among all PIP claimants. Around half of claims for depression are awarded. What matters is how depression affects everyday activities such as cooking, washing, dressing, engaging with people and travelling, not the diagnosis itself.
How much is PIP for depression?
The same as for any condition, there is no diagnosis-specific rate. In 2026/27, PIP pays £76.70 (standard) or £114.60 (enhanced) a week for Daily Living, plus £30.30 or £80.00 a week for Mobility, up to £194.60 a week in total. Almost half of people awarded PIP for depression get the enhanced daily living rate.
What should I put on the PIP form for depression?
Describe your worst days in concrete detail, and say how often they happen. Focus on prompting: if anyone reminds or encourages you to eat, cook, wash, dress, take medication or leave the house, say so for each activity. Mention appetite loss, days you stay in nightwear, avoided bills and letters, and what happens when you try to go out alone. If a difficulty applies on more than half your days, the descriptor applies to you.
Can I get the mobility part of PIP for depression?
Yes. If overwhelming psychological distress means you need prompting to go out (4 points), cannot manage unfamiliar routes alone (10 points), or cannot manage even familiar routes without another person (12 points), you can receive the mobility component, 12 points alone qualifies you for enhanced mobility. This has been settled law since 2017.
Do I need to be on antidepressants to get PIP for depression?
No. There is no requirement to be on any particular treatment. However, medical evidence helps your claim, so records of GP appointments, medication (including treatments you could not tolerate), therapy referrals and CMHT contact all strengthen it. If you are not under treatment, a detailed personal account and a statement from someone who supports you become more important.
Can I work and claim PIP for depression?
Yes. PIP is not means-tested and has no hours or earnings limit. Working does not stop you qualifying, although the assessor may ask how you manage at work, so explain any adjustments, support or after-work collapse that shows the real impact of your condition.
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